Up to 90% of older adults have experienced trauma, yet their needs are often overlooked. Learn the essentials of trauma-informed care and how to foster healing and resilience.

Trauma-informed care is essential for supporting older adults across healthcare, mental health, and social service settings.

In this episode, we explore:

✅ The difference between trauma treatment and Trauma Informed Care
✅ The three E’s of trauma: Events, Experience, and Effects
✅ The impact of trauma across the lifespan, from adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to end of life.
✅ The connection between PTSD, aging, and medical trauma
✅ The four R’s of trauma-informed care
✅ How culturally inclusive trauma-informed care improves outcomes for older adults and healthcare teams

Click here to Get your free Trauma-Informed Care Guide

Click here to get access all of the resources and references mentioned in this episode

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PROFESSIONALS: Grab your free guide to working with older adults here


Attention Social Workers, Therapists, Counselors, Psychologists, Aging Life Care Experts... Click here to get Continuing Education Credits

Did you know that 20-22% of older adults have a mental health condition like depression, anxiety, or substance use disorder—yet most go undetected and untreated? This isn’t because these conditions aren’t treatable, but because systemic barriers, misconceptions, and a lack of professional training make it harder for older adults to access the care they deserve.

In today’s episode, we break down barriers preventing older adults from receiving the mental health support they need. You’ll learn how common myths about aging impact mental health care, why stigma plays a significant role, and what you can do to change the landscape of care for older adults.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The major barriers preventing older adults from accessing mental health care
• How common misconceptions about aging contribute to untreated mental health conditions
• Why ageism in health care and mental health professions keeps older adults from getting help
• The connection between mental health, chronic illness, and dementia risk
• How you can help bridge older adults to mental health care

How You Can Help

Older adults deserve access to quality mental health care. Whether you are a mental health professional or someone who works with older adults, you play a key role in bridging the gap.

📢 Want to improve your ability to recognize and address memory concerns in older adults? Download my free training

This 10-minute expert training will help you gain clarity on detecting memory loss in therapy—a crucial skill for ensuring older adults receive the mental health support they need.

Have a topic idea? Send us a text.

PROFESSIONALS: Grab your free guide to working with older adults here


Attention Social Workers, Therapists, Counselors, Psychologists, Aging Life Care Experts... Click here to get Continuing Education Credits

#114- What if joy isn’t something we find, but something we create—especially in life’s hardest moments?

In this episode of The Psychology of Aging Podcast, award-winning journalist and bestselling author Steven Petrow returns to share insights from his newest book, The Joy You Make.

After experiencing profound loss—losing both parents, the end of a marriage, and supporting his sister through terminal cancer—Steven embarked on a journey to understand how joy coexists with grief, resilience, and even imperfection. Through deeply personal stories, humor, and wisdom, he reveals how small, intentional acts can bring light even in life’s darkest seasons. Whether you’re struggling to reclaim joy or simply want to invite more of it into your daily life, this conversation will leave you inspired and ready to cultivate joy in unexpected ways. Don’t miss this heartwarming and thought-provoking episode!

Here's a Peek Inside the Episode:

• [01:54] Why a Book on Joy?
• [06:45] The Pecan Pie Competition & Joy of Storytelling
• [09:22] The Difference Between Happiness and Joy
• [12:50] Why We Struggle to Allow Ourselves Joy
• [17:22] Joy and Resilience
• [24:37] Embracing Imperfection
• [29:58] The Bond Between Siblings & Honoring Loss
• [32:00] Medical Aid in Dying: Julie’s Choice- Steven reflects on his sister Julie’s decision to pursue medical aid in dying (MAID) and how their family navigated this process. He discusses the importance of choice, dignity, and supporting a loved one through their end-of-life journey.
• [38:12] Joy Amidst Grief
• [39:23] A Simple Call to Action for Joy- Advice for listeners: Every night before you go to sleep, reflect on one moment that brought you joy that day—even on the hardest days.

Click here to get access to all of the resources mentioned in this episode.

Have a topic idea? Send us a text.

PROFESSIONALS: Grab your free guide to working with older adults here


Attention Social Workers, Therapists, Counselors, Psychologists, Aging Life Care Experts... Click here to get Continuing Education Credits